About the species

Nymphoides hydrophylla 'Taiwan' is a bulb plant from southern Taiwan with vivid light green, almost translucent leaves. The rosette reaches 15–25 centimetres tall and ten to fifteen centimetres wide, and the variety stands out by keeping unusually many submerged leaves. New plants form directly on the old leaves and can be detached once they have roots of their own.

Facts

• Latin name: Nymphoides hydrophylla 'Taiwan'
• Plant type: Bulb plant
• Origin: Asia
• Height: 15–30 cm
• Growth rate: Medium
• Position: Background

Light requirement

Low light requirement. It manages with the lighting that comes with most aquariums and is happy in partial shade behind or beneath taller plants. Strong lighting does not harm it, but raises the risk of algae on the leaves because the plant cannot use all the available light.

CO₂ & nutrition

Added CO₂ is recommended — Tropica reckons 6–14 mg/l as a medium requirement. The plant can be grown without, but then grows more slowly and loses some of its colour. Supplement with liquid fertiliser weekly and keep iron and potassium levels up.

Planting

Set the bulb so its top third protrudes above the substrate — a fully buried bulb rots easily. The roots work their way down by themselves. Bulb plants are solitaires and look best with open space around them.

Rinse all the gel off in lukewarm water before planting, otherwise it can cause bacterial cloudiness. The cup holds many small plants — divide them up and plant them in several portions.

Care & propagation

Cut away leaves that start to deteriorate at the base. Many bulb plants take a natural rest period where they shed their leaves — leave the bulb in place, it pushes out new shoots after a few weeks. Root tabs in the substrate make a real difference.

Position in the aquarium

Given its mature height it belongs at the back or along the sides, where it forms a dense wall of greenery and hides equipment. In a smaller aquarium it can also be used as a solitaire in one corner.

Difficulty level

🟢 Easy — grows in most aquariums without CO₂ and under ordinary lighting.

Delivery format

Delivered as 1-2-Grow! — a laboratory-grown cup holding many small plants in nutrient gel. Because the plant is cultivated in vitro it is completely free of snails, algae, planaria and pesticides, which makes it the safest choice for a shrimp aquarium.

Recommendation

An easy, fast-growing plant that gives a lot of effect for little work — heart-shaped leaves in a colour few other plants have. Remove the oldest leaves and any that reach the surface, otherwise it shades out everything beneath it.